How can I get Chrome multiple users to recognize symlinked extensions?

06
2014-04
  • Sai

    I have multiple Chrome users.

    To save time and space on extensions that are the same (state / prefs / etc) across all users, I've symlinked most extensions (e.g. Profile 4/Extensions/xyz -> Default/Extensions/xyz).

    Unfortunately, they don't seem to be recognized by Chrome (e.g. logging in as user 4, it shows no extensions installed).

    How can I get Chrome to obey those symlinks?

    • Answers
  • surfasb

    According to Google, extensions can't simply be copied from Profile to Profile. They must be deployed to new Profiles.

    https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/external_extensions.html#registry

    An extension that's installed automatically is known as an external extension. Google Chrome supports two ways of installing external extensions:

    Using a preferences JSON file Using the Windows registry (Windows only)


    • Related Question

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  • John

    I'm having a problem where Chrome won't ever fully start (cursor just spins indefinitely and can't use the any menus or buttons in Chrome). I think it is due to an extension I installed but since the browser is unresponsive, I can't do anything through Chrome itself.

    Is there a flag to disable all extensions for Chrome or a config file I can manually edit to disable extensions so I can figure out what exactly is causing it? I'd prefer to not have to blow it away and reinstall as I might just install the offending extension again (assuming that is what is causing the issue).


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  • jrc03c

    I could be wrong, but starting up in incognito mode prohibits Chrome from using extensions automatically (I think). You might be able to start with the --incognito flag and uninstall the offending extension. Let me know if that works!

  • Lamb

    You can press Shift+Esc to get Task Manager in chrome, and then kill the required extension.